Mazda CX-3 SUV fends off new competition to set annual sales record: VFACTS 2024

01/11/2025 04:00 PM

The Mazda CX-3 city SUV has achieved an annual sales record in Australia in its 10th year in showrooms.

In 2024, Mazda reported 18,461 deliveries of the CX-3 locally – a 17 per cent increase over the previous year – with the model retaining its long-held position as the number-one vehicle in its light SUV segment.

Mazda sold almost twice as many CX-3s as the second-place Suzuki Jimny four-wheel-drive (9697) and more than double the hybrid-only Toyota Yaris Cross (8206), with the Toyota being its closest rival due to the Suzuki's off-road capability likely attracting different buyers.

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The newer Hyundai Venue (6949), Kia Stonic (6189), Volkswagen T-Cross (2003) and Suzuki Ignis (1815) followed behind.

In the one-size-up small SUV segment, sales results for models similar in price to the CX-3 include the MG ZS (22,629), GWM Haval Jolion (14,238) and Chery Omoda 5 (6162) – while 12,672 examples of Mazda's larger and dearer CX-30 were sold, a 3.4 per cent decline from 2023.

It was the strongest result for the CX-3 since it launched in Australia in March 2015, beating its previous annual record of 18,334 set in 2016, its first full year on sale, before the number of light and small SUV offerings grew.

There have been no major updates to the CX-3 since its arrival – in line with the Mazda 2 hatch and sedan it is based on – with a second-generation version appearing to be no closer.

Crucially, the CX-3 accounted for its highest share of Mazda's sales in 2024 than any other year, taking 19.2 per cent of the brand's 95,987 total.

Throughout its life, the CX-3 has usually been responsible for about 15 per cent of Mazda's annual sales – while the CX-5 mid-size SUV remains the brand's breadwinner, with a 23.8 per cent share in 2024.

Combined, the 10-year-old CX-3 and eight-year-old CX-5 accounted for 43 per cent of Mazda's sales in 2024, rising to 56.2 per cent with the addition of the five-year-old CX-30.

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The CX-5 was Mazda’s best-seller in Australia in 2024 (22,835), followed by the CX-3 (18,461), BT-50 ute (15,164), CX-30 (12,672), and Mazda 3 hatch and sedan (10,528).

"The CX-3 continues to offer everything small SUV buyers want: style, comfort, tech and great value for money," Mazda Australia sales and marketing director Jarrod Gieschen said.

"With an update coming through for 2025 and a new value-packed entry point, we anticipate CX-3 will carry its strong customer appeal into the new year."

Mazda Australia announced an update for the CX-3 in December 2024, including the removal of the G20 Sport entry-level grade – with the G20 Pure now the cheapest variant, for $3420 more than before.

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However the updated CX-3 G20 Pure is fitted with more standard equipment, including adaptive cruise control, higher-speed autonomous emergency braking, and larger 18-inch machined alloy wheels.

Australians models continue to miss out on the newer and larger 8.8-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system available in Japan since 2023, instead retaining an 8-inch screen running the same MZD Connect software from when the CX-3 launched a decade ago.

The CX-3 was discontinued in the United States and Europe in 2021 and 2022 in favour of the CX-30, but it remains available alongside the newer SUV in other countries, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Mexico.

Mazda CX-3 sales in Australia

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